Swarm of vultures take over US family home

Disposed homeowner Rick Mize said the giant birds arrived in drones last month around the same time a terrible stench filled the area near the Buncombe, Illinois house.

"Okay your cat died in your house and you found it five days after being on vacation … that's the stench, it's just foul, death," he told local television network KFVS.

Almost four weeks on and no closer to establishing the source of the smell, the vultures – standing 60cm tall with an average wing span just shy of two metres – have taken over the Mize property where Mr Mize lives along with his wife, step-daughter and their dog.

Video footage shows the rural property, including a newly built deck that's yet to be painted blanketed in faeces.

The birds, who typically prey on dead animals, sit ominously in a row on the roof overlooking their new kingdom.

Out front, the hood of Mr Mize's brand new Chevrolet Silverado is covered in scratch marks from curious claws, and its rubber seals pulled loose.